Since Oct, 2018, 16 deceased horses were found on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests Black Mesa Ranger District. Thursday, 4 additional deceased horses were discovered. Officials say a variety of factors lead to horse deaths, including accidents, natural causes, predation, and shootings. At this time, officials say investigations indicate that 10 of the deceased horses have evidence of gunshot wounds, 5 were severely decomposed and the cause of death remains undetermined, and 1 died of blunt force trauma usually associated with a motor vehicle collision. Forest Service law enforcement and equine experts continue ongoing investigations into the deaths of these horses. Anyone with information is asked to call the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office tip line, 1-800-78CRIME.
